Statistic: My mother was murdered too
(Earlier this week as I read the title of this piece of writing for Crossroad, written a few years ago, it gave me quite a shock. You see, it is my cousin that we buried this morning in Wellington. Mother to four children, and murdered just like that last week. We’ve been looking at forgiveness recently and all that I can honestly say is: The closer it gets to you, the more difficult this thing about forgiveness becomes.)
I’m still struggling with the forgiveness verse: 32Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Sarie taught me a lesson. She succeeded with grace from Above:
I also formed part of the statistics: In 2000 my mother was murdered on a farm. My first thought: How crazy do you need to be to shoot a 70-year old lady with a .303 hunting rifle for R20.00? My mother was murdered on 12 September 2000 – they found her body a week later …. And exactly a week later the murderers were caught.
When I came to my senses, I called to Jesus and asked Him, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM AND LET THERE BE JUSTICE”. I absolved them and prayed for them, although I never ever saw them in person.
Today, when I think back to that time I realise that I had liberated myself from hate and that is why I’m a winner. God’s Spirit guided me to do his will. God forgave me.
Matthew West wrote this moving song “Forgiveness”:
It’s the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don’t deserve
It’s the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have just to say the word…
Forgiveness
Forgiveness
It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you got a right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it’s power can do
So, let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
I want to finally set it free
So show me how to see what Your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
I read something of myself in this song. I’m not the only one to struggle with this thing called forgiveness…
Scripture:
Reflection
How strong is your love?
Do you know that God forgives you?
Who do you have to forgive?
Prayer
Father, You forgive me for everything that I confess to You. I have to keep on forgiving, but how? How will I ever get rid of this desire for revenge? How can one just forgive? Help! Amen
